Math topics

Order of operations

PEMDAS is a shared agreement so everyone gets the same value from an expression: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (left to right), Addition and Subtraction (left to right). Skipping the order changes the answer.

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Worked example

Problem. Solve: 2 × 3 + 2

1. Multiplication before addition: 2 × 3 = 6.
2. Then add: 6 + 2 = 8.
3. If you added first you would get the wrong value.

Answer. 8

Practice set

1. Practice 1. Solve: 5 + 4 × 2

   Show answer

   13

2. Practice 2. Solve: (5 + 4) × 2

   Show answer

   18

3. Practice 3. Solve: 12 ÷ 3 + 1

   Show answer

   5

Related pages

• expressions
• Basic algebra
• Math for grades 6–8

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